Turkmenistan after Opening New Border Crossing for Trade with Iran

Head of the Foreign Trade Department of the Khorasan Razavi Province’s Industry. Mine and Trade Organization Mohammad Ali Amir Fakhrian said today that Turkmenistan seeks to create new routes in addition to Sarakhs to facilitate the transit of goods through Iran.

Amir Fakhrian went on to say that Turkmenistan has imposed restrictions on the number of trucks passing by and the amount of goods it receives in Sarakhs border crossing for various reasons. including political disputes with Tajikistan.

Turkmenistan is seeking to create new routes or corridors for transit of goods. including through the Caspian Sea. he said.

The current problems in the exchange of goods between Iran and Turkmenistan will be reviewed in a meeting that is to be held in Tehran between the two countries’ officials next month. the official noted.

He added that Afghanistan and Turkmenistan are among the first and second trade partners of Khorasan Razavi.

According to Amir Fakhrian. in the first 4 months of the current Persian calendar year (March 21-July 21). 134.000 tons of goods worth $ 42 million were exported from the province to Turkmenistan. registering a 52% growth compared to the corresponding period last year.

The local official said that last year the total export of goods from this province to Turkmenistan amounted to 368.000 tons valued at $ 227 million registering a 10 percent increase compared to 2017.

Amir Fakhrian cited total exports of goods from Iran to Turkmenistan last year at 735.000 tons worth $ 400 million.

He reiterated that Khorasan Razavi`s share from total exports to Turkmenistan has been growing since 2013 so that the province`s share rose from 34% in 2013 to 58% in 2018.

He also said that products imported from Turkmenistan to Khorasan Razavi include cotton. cotton yarn. polyethylene. commercial artifacts. wood components. one-layer yarn bags and shipping containers.

On Sunday. Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Tehran Ahmed Gurbanov voiced his country’s dissatisfaction with curbs in commercial ties with Iran. and said Ashgabat is determined to restore strength to its economic ties with the Islamic Republic.

In a meeting with the Governor General of North Khorasan province. Gurbanov said that Iran–Turkmenistan trade cooperation have been weakened in recent years. saying the relations should be bolstered to reach its previous state.

The volume of two countries` trade exchange had experienced $5 billion over last decade. whereas it has lately decreased. he added.

Stating that both countries have high capabilities in commercial field. he added that two sides should not ignore boosting relations in economy. agriculture. tourism. culture as well as sport.

The joint economic commission is going to be held in line with implementing the countries` MoUs in the near future which will take mutual trade ties into account. Gurbanov noted.

He went on to say that Iran-Turkmenistan private sectors should be activated and it requires resolving the current challenges in this regard.

Back in mid-May. Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Raşit Meredow told his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif that Ashgabat has the political will to strengthen bilateral relations with Tehran in all areas.

During the meeting in Turkmen capital city. Meredow described Zarif’s visit as very important and timely. adding. Turkmenistan has a high political will to expand all-out relations with Iran.

Zarif. for his part. referred to his meeting with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and underlined. The commonalities shared by the two countries are more than just two neighbors.

Late in January. Iran and Turkmenistan held their 14th joint consular meeting at the foreign ministry building in Tehran where the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to further increase consular cooperation.

The 14th joint consular. border and customs meeting of Iran and Turkmenistan was held at the Iranian foreign ministry building in Tehran on January 27.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister for Iranians’ and Parliamentary Affairs Hossein Panahi Azar and Turkmen Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev.

During the meeting. the two sides called for implementation of previous agreements regarding the facilitation of visa issuance. citizenship. prisoners` rights. judicial documents. as well police cooperation. border issues. and customs cooperation.

The two countries’ deputy foreign ministers also signed a memorandum of understanding at the end of the consular meeting.

In a related front. also on the same day. Zarif met with Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Hajiyev.

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